Immediate Release
April 14, 2008
Little Rock - Charles McGrew, Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, has been selected as the Barr Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient from the University of North Carolina School of Public Health. McGrew will receive the award today, Monday April 14th at the 40th Annual Fred T. Foard Memorial Lecture and Presentation of Alumni Awards at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. McGrew received his Master of Public Health degree from the university in 1973. Carolina’s School of Public Health is ranked as the top public school of public health by U.S. News & World Report magazine (tied with Harvard for #2 overall).
Governor Mike Beebe said in a letter of support of McGrew’s nomination, “Charles is a visionary, an exemplary public health practitioner and devoted public health servant.”
Established in 1975, the Barr Award recognizes the achievements of alumni and their contributions to public health. The Barr Award recognizes leadership, experimentation, collaboration and innovation within the profession; impact within the practice arena; and outstanding service beyond the requirements of the recipient's employment.
Shelley Golden, Chair of the Alumni Award Committee and President of the School of Public Health Alumni Association, said “The committee was most impressed with the tremendous impact he has made for the people of Arkansas through his sheer determination to make a difference and by leading the masses toward a better way of thinking.”
Charles has over 35 years of dedication to the field of public health and has worked in direct client service and extensive leadership roles. He helped to create a single Medicare certified state-wide home health agency caring for more than 26,000 clients. Under his leadership, Arkansas created a statewide system of 96 local health units managed by 11 management areas that resulted in improved delivery of services and greater access to care. He played a significant role in helping to pass the Clean Indoor Air Act.
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